"On my part, I remain committed to the process of dialogue. It is my firm belief that dialogue and a willingness to look with honesty and clarity at the reality of Tibet can lead us to a viable solution."

Canada Invests in the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre

April 26, 2010

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 24, 2010) - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, and Norbu Tsering, President of the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre, today announced Government of Canada support for renovations and retrofits at the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre's main facility in South Etobicoke, Ontario.

"I am proud to announce that the Government of Canada is providing an investment to renovate and renew the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre," said Minister Kenney. "As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, our Government is helping to boost the local economy, create jobs and enhance infrastructure that will benefit the community for years to come."

"On behalf of the Tibetan-Canadian community and the many Canadians who support and partake in the work of the TCCC, we sincerely thank the Government of Canada for this investment in directly enriching the lives of our Canadian children, youth, adults and seniors of diverse backgrounds. The impact of this funding will provide much needed renovations to transform the facility into useable and accessible community space" said Mr. Tsering. "This funding will help us meet a core goal of the TCCC which is to foster cross-cultural understanding through the practice of the Tibetan values of altruism, compassion and harmony in Canada's diverse society."

This project involves various renovations to convert existing warehouse space into a fully accessible facility that will increase the centre's functionality and add new depth to its programming and services. Renovations will include a full-sized gymnasium, a multi-purpose hall, classrooms, and a Tibetan-Canadian museum. Traditional designs and details will be incorporated throughout, including a traditional Tibetan ceiling in the multi-purpose hall and Tibetan pillars in the museum. Once complete, the renovations will enable the centre to create new jobs, and continue to deliver programs and services to more than 15,500 users.

Federal funding of just over $3.3 million will come from the Government of Canada's Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre will match the amount to cover the total eligible project cost of over $6.6 million.

Through Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada has committed over $9.5 billion toward over 6,000 projects under a number of funds through Infrastructure Canada. When combined with contributions from the provinces, territories, municipalities and other funding partners, over $27 billion has been committed for infrastructure projects in communities across the country.

To learn more about how the Government of Canada is investing in Ontario infrastructure, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.